Guide to Florence, Italy

Florence (Firenze) - home to the Renaissance, in the Tuscany region of Italy, has long been considered one of the most relaxing parts of the countryside. Since the poets of the 18th and 19th century wrote about Florence’s beauty, generations have remained inspired to visit and create here. Although extremely popular with tourists year round, Florence’s natural beauty and rich heritage of arts and culture more than makes up for the crowds.

Top reasons to visit Florence

Admire the stunning architecture such as the Duomo or Renaissance works of arts, such as Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’ Accademia.

Walk or cycle along Lucca’s monumental Renaissance city walls.

Learn about the Renaissance from it’s centre, and it’s rich heritage of influential people like Medici, Machiavelli and Michelangelo.

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Main areas of Florence

From the main train station (Santa Maria Novella), walk along Via del Panzani and Via de’ Cerretani to the Duomo.

From Piazza di San Giovanni, Via Roma leads down to Plaza della Republica and onto Via Calmala and Via Por Santa Maria to Ponte Vecchio.

Top Attractions in Florence

• Michelangelo’s David
• Climb the Duomoor Campanile
• city walls
• Ponte Vecchio
• Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi
• Loggia della Signoria
• Boboli Gardens
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• Churches - Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, Orsanmichele, San Marco convent, Santa Maria del Carmine, Santa Felicita, San Miniato al Monte

Shopping in Florence

The 14th century Ponte Vecchio is lined with jewellery shops, as well as stores from famous fashion stores such as Armani, Prada, Gucci.

Souvenirs relating to art are popular in Florence, as well as books, leather goods, handcrafted journals and stationery.

Take a wander around the Oltrarno, by crossing Ponte Vecchio or Ponte Trinita, and look for the artisan stores of Enoteca Mondovino, Beaded Lily, Pitti Vintage, Cose Del 900, Ortigia SRL, Zei Cinofilia, Ottico Fotografia, Albrici.

• Shopping streets - via Tornabuoni, Via de Parione, Via Maggio
• Markets - San Lorenzo market
• Outlets - outside the city are a couple of designer brand outlets

Eating in Florence

Florence local delicacies include:-

• bistecca all fiorentina - huge T-bone steak
• crostini toscani - crostini with Tuscan liver pate
• lampredotto - tripe with honeycomb appearance
• gelato - Italian ice cream
• cantuccini/biscotti de Prato (biscuits)

Recommended restaurants include Trattoria Mario, L’Azdora, Oil Shoppe, Leonardo, Za-Za, Al Tranvai, Palle d’Oro, Sancho Panza, Trattoria Cammillo, Enoteca Pinchiorril, Il Cabro, Trattoria de Tito.

Nightlife and Entertainment in Florence

Although there are bars, clubs, restaurants in Florence the focus is clearly on the Arts and Museums.

• Museums - Uffizi, City Hall, Palazzo della Signoria, Museum of History and Science, The Zoological Museum (La Specola), Firenze Musei, Strozzi Palace, Museo Horne, Museo Galileo
• Arts - Galleria degli Uffizi, Bargello, Accademia Gallery, Pitti Palace
• Bars - La Cite, Uffizi Museum, Enoteca Le volpi e l’ova, Irish pub, Ambrosia, Rivoire, Paszkowski, Bebop, Ete
• Clubs - Cavalli Club, Bamboo Lounge Club, Tenax

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